Django Django – ‘Django Django’ Album Review

Psychedelic art-pop foursome Django Django were formed in 2008 in Dalston, London but the band members all met a few years before whilst studying at the Edinburgh College of Art. Those art-school roots are evident on their experimental new LP, and first official album, simply titled Django Django.

The album is a carefully crafted and sonically varied patchwork of indie rock, folk and electro-pop, and constitutes a confident start for the London-based band.

The thumping beats and irresistible chorus of the album’s first single ‘Default’ and acoustic stomp of the fourth track ‘Firewater’ are early highlights with lead singer Vinny Neff’s vocals aided by an array of echoing effects and overdubbing as tribal drums and electronic flourishes provide ample backing.

The opening of ‘Waveform’ recalls the sound of that ubiquitous and annoying single from that Levi’s yellow puppet Mr Oizo, but thankfully progresses into something much more palatable. ‘Zumm Zumm’ takes a repetitive rhythm and lyric in a surprisingly rewarding direction, and ‘Love’s Dart’ rides along on an insistent beat and finger-picked guitar rhythm that recalls Jose Gonzalez’s Veneer album.

However, it is practically impossible to write piece about Django Django without mentioning The Beta Band. The comparisons made by critics are impossible to ignore, given both artists’ eclectic, genre-hopping approach to music, their Edinburgh heritage and the fact that drummer Dave McClean’s older brother John played keyboards in the folktronica pioneers. Indeed, the spectre of The Beta Band looms large over Django Django and their latest album, and whilst the association initially helped to raise their profile, in the long-term it could prove be more of a hindrance than a help.

However Django Django are not merely a facsimile of their influential Scottish cousins. Whilst their influence is inescapable, Django Django’s songs are more danceable and club-ready than The Beta Band’s predominantly laid-back and hazy songs ever were. The album is perhaps best enjoyed a few tracks at a time, as listening to its 13 tracks in one sitting may leave you feeling slightly overwhelmed.

Of course, Django Django have a long way to go if they are going to reach the exalted level of the increasingly revered, and sorely missed Beta Band, and though their first album is a decent start to their recording career, it somewhat inevitably doesn’t hold up to the brilliance of the Three EPs or Hot Shots II, but then not much indie rock does, does it?

Like new music? Click HERE and check out the brand new BBM Podcast